Tooth brush and paste container



Oct. 24, 1939. r J, HACKERT 2,177,455

TOOTH BRUSH AND PASTE CONTAINER Filed April 5, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.1

IN VENTOR.

Jo/m fiac/rerf WQ W flmw ATTORNEY.

Oct. 24, 1939. J. HACKERT TOOTH BRUSH AND PASTE CONTAINER Filed April 5, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 BY duh/1 flag??? ATTORNEY Patented Oct. 24, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TOOTH BRUSH AND PASTE CONTAINER John Hackert, New York, N. Y.

Application April 5, 1938, Serial No. 200,137

Claims.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a relatively small, lightweight case for enclosing the head of a tooth brush which is not intended to be attached to a wall or other surface, but, ,5 from its nature, suggests placing it over the bristles or head, and then placing the brush with 4 the device thereon in a glass or the like.

The invention-is a relatively small, thin case, preferably made of Celluloid or similar material, which has a flap at one and permitting a tooth brush to be inserted and withdrawn, and which may be provided with a tablet of tooth paste or -.a disinfectant.

Devices of this nature have been placed over the heads of tooth brushes, however, these have been attached to the wall or cabinet and form an additional fixture, whereas this device is portable and is not attached to the wall or to any surface, and is only intended to be slipped over the head of a tooth brush, forming a protecting cap, and the tooth brush may then be placed in a glass or other holding device.

7 The object of this invention is, therefore, to

provide a closure for tooth brushes which permits the tooth brush to be placed in the usual receptacle, and, at the same time, encloses the bristles,

keeping the tooth brush sanitary.

Another object is to provide a relatively lightweight closure for enclosing the head of a tooth brush which may readily be placed upon and removed from the brush.

Another object is to provide a relatively lightweight closure for tooth brushes which may contain a disinfectant for disinfecting the brush.

Another object is to provide a relatively small closure for protecting the head of a tooth brush which contains tooth paste in tablet form so that the paste may be applied to the brush before the brush is withdrawn therefrom.

A further object is to provide a relatively small, lightweight closure for tooth brushes in which means is provided for scraping the brush as it is placed therein for catapulting moisture from the brush against the tablet or pad.

And a still further object is to provide a relatively small, lightweight closure for tooth brushes which is of a simple and economical construction.

With these ends in view the invention embodies a rectangular shaped case formed in two halves hinged together, with the lower end of one of said halves provided with a fiap and with means for holding a tablet of material on the inside, with the tablet positioned to engage the bristles of the brush.

Other features and advantages of'the invention will appear from the following description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view showing the device as it may appear in use, showing it placed over the head of a tooth brush and the tooth brush placed in a glass with the device thereon.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the device showing the parts hinged.

Figure 3 is a cross section through the device, taken on the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a vertical section, on an enlarged scale, through the device, showing an alternate design in which a tablet of tooth paste is held therein.

Figure 5 is also a section through the device on line 5-5 of Figure 4, showing the device for holding the tooth paste tablet or disinfectant pad.

Figure 6 is a section through the lower part of the device, showing an alternate design in which the flap is provided as a separate article.

Figure 7 is a view showing an alternate design in which the entire device is formed of one piece of material, and this is shaped to form a boxlike case with the flap at the lower end.

Figure 8 is a section, similar to that shown in Figure 4, showing an alternate arrangement for holding the tablet in the case.

Figure 9 is a view showing an alternate design, in which the case is provided with a hinged closure.

FigurelO is a detail showing an alternate tablet holding device.

Figure 11 is a view showing aclosure of an alternate design.

Figure 12 is a view of the closure shown in Figure 9.

Figure 13 is a section through the case showing an alternate design, in which a tablet holder, having the holding means shown in Figure 10, is used in combination with a closure.

Figure 14 is a detail showing a tablet holding device, similar to that shown in Figure 4, with holding means at the ends similar to the device shown in Figure 10.

In the drawings the device is shown as it may be made, wherein numeral l indicates the case, numeral 2, a tooth brush, and numeral 3, a glass upon which the device may be placed.

The case I may be formed. of a continuous shell, with the upper end closed and with a flap at the bottom, or this may be formed in two sections, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, with the sides 4 and 5 of an upper section 6 overlapping he f ee:eh thereeh pro ided with a, flan I5 the sides 1 and 8 of another section 9, and the sides of the two sections may be pivotally held together by pins [0 and II, and it will be noted that the part 6 may readily be open, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 2, so that the tooth paste tablet or disinfectant pad may readily be removed and replaced, and also so that the brush may be removed from one side instead of through the end When the bristles are filled withv tooth paste from the. tablet.

It will be understood, however, that the two parts may be hinged together in any other manner, and they may be connected at any other point, or the case may be formed of a continuous shell, as shown in Figures ;:-:7.;.-a-nd;.'9,-.and the end may be closed with a hinged capor. closure or other closing means.

In the lower part of the cases-is aflapi I;2-;wi,th one end free, and with the other end connected to the lower end of one side l3 of the case, and it-i 3efe -r. :.i scaries th es i o: th rp h; pr vid neze e te e ncy an ,1 e m-iti hs-;ih :fia n .e ineve rewa a ew wenieflh iflap l2 be made/es shown i El a ishewh n Fame 1 i wh c f rm n a traine ffq .;remevi i;m st r vfr h abm hze u h brushzi t n e te r in th ase. as illustrated at the point! qin Figure-r l, and th ;meismretserap s ifmm 1-. b u h is t rown against the tablet as the bristles pass :over ;the setven t ereb pr i in hasten n "means deemin th fi plfi zi'l a... .ei han vreiativel s :QQ di iOQ In th -.desien th :fla :i in at by the numeral H, the loop by the numeral 18, eand the ease ;;by-the;, me a it In zth de i sand-e e in e desis,

Fi u e the e a 31 iie ed 9 ah exten ion e ten n 'f om the wall of the case where the flap is mounted, and e when i a fl eing in gra the with w ereas in 2612 2 1 iiap 1. i p ovided with an extended and 20 to which it is enh eted throu sleep .2 en th p 0 :i s em 1 31 M1 32 of 1a ae se 3- f a me-yr er iq e h iermediint e a w th the material; ease o may h a taeh dt er t a ma be de ir d- The ower ed e .9 izt e es :e th eas are provided with otch 1 1 the des n sh w a nzE u a 1 1 inx h esi sh wn in F ;u e an -the enetehes ar posi e i i fit v the upper edges of a glass 3 as shown, These notches are common 'gtQ all designs, andprflvide locating means holding the device with .wa tooth b us he i en .thezhp e ie se o t glass- One side of the case is provided with a strip p m te a 5 h vin an open n fiith e n, a a tablet 21 of tooth paste may be mounted in the a ea 2. ins e 9 th strip #5, with the sur- :fe t r of ada edi o be en a ed bythehr stles of the brush through ,theyopening :26. 'The strip 25 provides a pocket in which a table of tooth ,paste .or disinfectant :pad may be held as may 'be desired. This tablet may also beheld as shown "Figure .6, in which .clips'29 are provided for holding the ends of the tablet eor pad, or these clips may be formed as shown in Figure 10, in which they are stamped from the strip, or they maybe stamped-from or secured to the strip or case in any manner or by any means.

The device is shown and described as comprising two halves hinged together at the upper end and-adapted to -be opened and closed as desired. However, in the design shown in Figure '7, the .case is of a rectangular shaped tube formed of one piece of material with the upper end closed, and with perforations 3|. in both sides, providing circulation therethrough, and the lower edges of this case are provided with notches 32 and 33 and a flap 34 similar to the flap l2, and this case may or may not be provided with a tooth paste tablet or disinfectant pad as may be desired.

The case 35 shown in Figure 8 is similar to that shown in Figure fl except that the flange [5 at the end of the flap, ,which isiindicated by the numeral 36, is omitted, and the back of the lease is provided with a slot 31 through which an end 38 of a tablet holding strip 39 may be inserted. ".The upper end 40 of the strip is shown bent at right angles and extending continuously across the upper end of the case, providing holdingimeans holding the strip against the inner surface of the back 4| of the case.

This strip may be formed with the inner portion extendingupward, as-shownain Figures 8 and14, and with anopening? inthecentralapart, or it may :be 1 formed as shown in Figure 10, t in "which the stripfis indicated by thenumeral 42, and this is provided -.-with1an outwardly extend- --ing end 43 similar-to ,the end 40, ;and:a=cli p-- or flap i4 similarrto the end 138,,andintermediate of the ends are tabsr4'5; ands46 whicharestamped from openings 41 and A8 so that 'they will ex- --tend upward "and ,griptheends of a,tablet of.-'

tooth past,e or a disinfectant that may beinserted ,therebetween. The strip 39,:shown; in.-Figures 8 and 14, may be provided with :an'opening -49 through ,which the bristles: of "the brushgmay engage thesurface of a tablet held therein, and it will be understood that this opening may be of anyrshape oridesign or formedin any man- ,-ner. This i strip is also :showndn the vcase:shown in Figure 13, in which the strip is indicated'by --th e :numeral 58, and this is provided with a straight end :5! and a c1ip :52 at the opposite end which folds -,ov,er\th e edge of the case 53. This case is provided=with a closure 54 hinged at the point 55, and this closure may be'made asshown in'Figure 11,.or as shownin Figure 12 asmay bedesired.

This type of closure, illustrated in Figures 9, 11 and 12, is hinged -to the sides of the case,

which is indicated by the numeral 56, at the points 51, and this is provided with "a section 58 that partially closes the :end of :the :case, however, "the end of the section '58 stops short of the edge'of thecase, providing an opening-59 through which the handle of a brush may extend. The closure is also provided with sides '60, and an extension 6| 'by which it may readily be openedwithithe case 56 held in one hand, and with the thumb extending over "the extension 6i. It will be understood that the extension 6| .may or may 'not be used, and it may be short or long, or may extend upward or outward, or in any direction. This closure illustrated in Figure 11 is also slightly different in that the end 62, corresponding to the part 58, is slit at the sides with slits 53, providing a resilient flap 64 somewhat similar to the flap [2, making it possure, as shown in Figure 13, and, as the thickness of these parts is exaggerated, the parts being relatively thin, it will not be necessary to cut away a portion of the end of the case as the part 52 of the strip is so thin that it may be placed between the end of the closure and end of the case, and it will also be understood that, although the ends of the tablet holding strip are illustrated as held in this manner, any other means may be used for securing either end of the strip to the case or holding the strip in position.

This tablet holding strip; either as illustrated in Figures or 14, may be made of any length so that it may be incorporated in a box or case of full length which may be used to hold an entire tooth brush and handle, and, as hereinbefore stated, projections on the face of the strip for holding the tablet or a pocket may be formed therein, or a tablet may be held to the strip in any means, and the strip may also be held in the case in any manner.

It will be understood that other changes may be made in the construction of the case without departing from the spirit of the invention. One of which changes may be in the general appearance of the case, as it will be understood that this may be made of any fanciful design, another may be in the construction thereof as it may be formed in any manner, and still another may be in the use of other means for securing a tablet or pad on the interior thereof.

The construction will be readily understood from the foregoing description. In use the device may be provided as shown and described, and it will be understood that this device may be supplied as a separate and independent unit, and may readily be placed over the head of a tooth brush or removed therefrom, and, with a pressed tablet of tooth paste therein, the brush may be rubbed over the tablet before being withdrawn so that tooth paste may be applied to the brush before it is withdrawn from the case, and it may, therefore, be readily withdrawn and used. However, when tooth paste is 1 applied to the bristles, it is preferred to open one side of the case, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 2, so that the tooth brush may be removed without the flap scraping the paste therefrom.

The device has been shown and described as being made of Celluloid or anytransparent material, and it will be understood that it may be made of various colors or it may also be opaque, or made of metal or any suitable material.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1.. A relatively small portable case adapted to be placed over the head of a tooth brush enclosing the same, and adapted to be used with a tooth brush in a glass or holder, said case provided with a resilient flap at one end secured to one side and adapted to bend inward or outward to permit the brush being inserted in the case or removed therefrom, and characterized in that the flap is attached to the side of the case through a loop increasing the resiliency thereof.

2. A case for tooth brushes and the like of the type adapted to be fitted over the brush portion of the tooth brush forming an enclosure therefor; characterized by a substantially closed case with a slot in one end through which the handle of the brush extends, a tablet holding strip, clips extending from the face of said strip adapted to hold the tablet thereon, and means at the end of said strip for holding the strip in the case.

3. A case for tooth brushes and the like of the type adapted to be fitted over the brush portion of the tooth brush forming an enclosure therefor; characterized by a substantially closed case with a slot in one end through which the handle of the brush extends, a tablet holding strip adapted to be positioned in one side of the case having one end bent outward holding said strip against the inner surface of the case, and the other end bent over forming a clip holding the end of said strip to the side of the case, and means holding tablet on said strip.

4. A relatively small, portable case adapted to form an enclosure for the head of a tooth brush, and characterized in that a tooth brush, with the device therein, may be placed in a glass or other holding means, said case comprising a receptacle slightly larger than the head of a tooth brush with a receiving flap in one end, in which the flap is cut on three sides, with the one remaining side providing bending means, with the end in which the flap is formed made of relatively resilient material, and further characterized in that the free end of the flap terminates short of the end of an opening in which the flap is formed, providing space for the handle of a tooth brush.

5. A case, as described in claim 4, in which the lower edges of the sides of the case extend slightly beyond the flap and are provided with notches to receive the rim of a glass, with the handle of a tooth brush on which the device is used extending downward into the glass.

6. A case, as described in claim 4, in which the end of the flap is bent to form a flange adapted to scrape the bristles of a brush as the brush is placed therein.

7. A case, as described in claim 4, further characterized in that it is formed of two sections with one section hingedly attached to the other.

8. A case, as described in claim 4, characterized in that the end in which the flap is formed comprises a hinged closure providing means for opening the case, permitting withdrawal of the brush Without scraping the bristles thereof by the end of the flap.

9. A relatively small case fen-ring an enclosure for the head of a tooth brush and adapted to be placed over the head of the said brush for protecting the same, said case having a closure hinged to the sides thereof, characterized in that the end of the closure terminates short of the side of the case, providing an opening to accommodate the handle of the tooth brush, and said case further characterized in that notches are provided in the sides thereof for locating and holding said ease, with the head of the tooth brush therein, upon the edge of a glass or the like.

10. In combination with a case as described in claim 4, a tablet holding strip adapted to be positioned in the case, means holding said strip in the case, and characterized in that the flap at the end of the case is formed on said strip.

' JOHN HACKERT. 

